Method for end-to-end control of water quality

ABSTRACT

A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer. The method includes treating the water and delivering the water to the consumer at the point of delivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, reporting water quality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network, monitoring total water volume at the point of delivery, and reporting total water volume at the point of delivery to the water system operator over a network.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent ApplicationNo. 60/645,625, filed Jan. 21, 2005, hereby incorporated by reference inits entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to a water system operatorsend-to-end control of water quality in a water filtration, purificationand distribution system all the way to a consumer's point-of-use, andmore specifically to a system, method, and apparatus to achieveend-to-end water quality through the controlled distribution of waterfiltration and purification products.

2. Problems in the Art

The Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) was originally passed by Congress in1974 to protect public health by regulating the nation's public drinkingwater supply. The law was amended in 1986 and 1996 and requires manyactions to protect drinking water and its sources, including rivers,lakes, reservoirs, springs, and ground water wells. The SDWA does notregulate private wells which serve fewer than 25 individuals. The SDWAauthorizes the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) toset national health-based standards for drinking water to protectagainst both naturally-occurring and man-made contaminants that may befound in drinking water. The US EPA, states, and public and privatewater systems then work together to make sure that these standards aremet.

Millions of Americans receive high quality drinking water every day fromtheir public water systems, (which may be publicly or privately owned).Nonetheless, drinking water safety cannot be taken for granted. Thereare a number of threats to drinking water: improper disposal ofchemicals, animal wastes, pesticides, human wastes, wastes injected deepunderground, and naturally-occurring substances can all contaminatedrinking water. Likewise, drinking water that is not properly treated ordisinfected, or which travels through an improperly maintaineddistribution system, may also pose a health risk.

Originally, the SDWA focused primarily on treatment as the means ofproviding safe drinking water at the tap. The 1996 amendments greatlyenhanced the existing law by recognizing source water protection,operator training, funding for water system improvements, and publicinformation as important components of safe drinking water. Thisapproach ensures the quality of drinking water by protecting it fromsource to tap.

The SDWA applies to every public water system in the United States.There are currently more than 160,000 public water systems providingwater to almost all Americans at some time in their lives. Theresponsibility for making sure these public water systems provide safedrinking water is divided among US EPA, states, tribes, water systems,and the public. The SDWA provides a framework in which these partieswork together to protect this valuable resource. Regardless of variousGovernment Agencies and the public water system policies they establishand enforce for the good of the public, public water can often besub-standard and questionable in quality, what is needed is anend-to-end control of water system quality by a water system operatorsfrom their plants, through their aging distribution systems, across thewater meter demarcation to the consumer's point-of-use, such as, but notlimited to, a tap, faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc.

The US EPA sets national standards for drinking water based on soundscience to protect against health risks, considering availabletechnology and costs. These National Primary Drinking Water Regulationsset enforceable maximum contaminant levels for particular contaminantsin drinking water or required ways to treat water to removecontaminants. Each standard also includes requirements for water systemsto test for contaminants in the water to make sure standards areachieved. In addition to setting these standards, the US EPA providesguidance, assistance, and public information about drinking water,collects drinking water data, and oversees state drinking waterprograms.

The most direct oversight of water systems is conducted by statedrinking water programs. States can apply to the US EPA for “primacy,”the authority to implement SDWA within their jurisdictions, if they canshow that they will adopt standards at least as stringent as the USEPA's and make sure water systems meet these standards. All states andterritories, except Wyoming and the District of Columbia, have receivedprimacy. While no native American tribe has yet applied for and receivedprimacy, four tribes currently receive “treatment as a state” status,and are eligible for primacy. States, or the US EPA acting as a primacyagent, make sure water systems test for contaminants, review plans forwater system improvements, conduct on-site inspections and sanitarysurveys, provide training and technical assistance, and take actionagainst water systems not meeting standards.

To ensure that drinking water is safe, the SDWA sets up multiplebarriers against pollution. These barriers include: source waterprotection, treatment, distribution system integrity, and publicinformation. Public water systems are responsible for ensuring thatcontaminants in tap water do not exceed the standards. Water systemstreat the water, and must test their water frequently for specifiedcontaminants and report the results to states. If a water system is notmeeting these standards, it is the water supplier's responsibility tonotify its customers. Many water suppliers are also now required toprepare annual reports for their customers. The public is responsiblefor helping local water suppliers to set priorities, make decisions onfunding and system improvements, and establish programs to protectdrinking water sources. Water systems across the nation rely on citizenadvisory committees, rate boards, volunteers, and civic leaders toactively protect this resource in every community in America. Regardlessof various Government Agencies and the public water system policies theyestablish and enforce for the good of the public, public water can oftenbe sub-standard and questionable in quality, what is needed is anend-to-end control of water system quality by a water system operatorsfrom their plants, through their aging distribution systems, across thewater meter demarcation to the consumer's point-of-use, such as, but notlimited to, a tap, faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc.

Essential components of safe drinking water include protection andprevention. States and water suppliers must conduct assessments of watersources to see where they may be vulnerable to contamination. Watersystems may also voluntarily adopt programs to protect their watershedor wellheads, and states can use legal authorities from other laws toprevent pollution. The SDWA mandates that states have programs tocertify water system operators and make sure that new water systems havethe technical, financial, and managerial capacity to provide safedrinking water. The SDWA also sets a framework for the UndergroundInjection Control (UIC) program to control the injection of wastes intoground water. The US EPA and states implement the UIC program, whichsets standards for safe waste injection practices and bans certain typesof injection altogether. All of these programs help prevent thecontamination of drinking water.

The US EPA sets national standards for tap water which help ensureconsistent quality in our nation's water supply. Regardless of variousGovernment Agencies and the public water system policies they establishand enforce for the good of the public, public water can often besub-standard and questionable in quality, what is needed is anend-to-end control of water system quality by a water system operatorsfrom their plants, through their aging distribution systems, across thewater meter demarcation to the consumer's point-of-use, such as, but notlimited to, a tap, faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc.

The US EPA prioritizes contaminants for potential regulation based onrisk and how often they occur in water supplies. To aid in this effort,certain water systems monitor for the presence of contaminants for whichno national standards currently exist and collect information on theiroccurrence. The US EPA sets a health goal based on risk (including risksto the most sensitive people, e.g., infants, children, pregnant women,the elderly, and the immuno-compromised). The US EPA then sets a legallimit for the contaminant in drinking water or a required treatmenttechnique, and also performs a cost-benefit analysis and obtains inputfrom interested parties when setting standards. The US EPA is currentlyevaluating the risks from several specific health concerns, including:microbial contaminants (e.g., Cryptosprodium and Giardia) the byproductsof drinking water disinfection (radon, arsenic), and water systems thatdon't currently disinfect their water, but get it from a potentiallyvulnerable ground water source.

The US EPA provides grants to implement state drinking water programs,and to help each state set up a special fund to assist public watersystems in financing the costs of improvements (called the drinkingwater state revolving fund). Small water systems are given specialconsideration, since small systems may have a more difficult time payingfor system improvements due to their smaller customer base. Accordingly,the US EPA and states provide them with extra assistance (includingtraining and funding) as well as allowing, on a case-by-case basis,alternate water treatments that are less expensive, but still protectiveof public health.

National drinking water standards are legally enforceable, which meansthat both the US EPA and states can take enforcement actions againstwater systems not meeting safety standards. The US EPA and states mayissue administrative orders, take legal actions, or fine utilities. TheUS EPA and states also work to increase the understanding of, andcompliance with, standards. The US EPA should strongly considermandating compliance all the way to the consumer's point-of-use for thegood of the public they serve. In addition to an increase in publichealth, the anti-terrorism benefits are myriad.

The SDWA recognizes that since everyone drinks water, everyone has theright to know what's in it and where it comes from. All water suppliersmust notify consumers quickly when there is a serious problem with waterquality. Water systems serving the same people year-round must provideannual consumer confidence reports on the source and quality of theirtap water. States and the US EPA must prepare annual summary reports ofwater system compliance with drinking water safety standards and makethese reports available to the public. The public must have a chance tobe involved in developing source water assessment programs, state plansto use drinking water state revolving loan funds, state capacitydevelopment plans, and state operator certification programs.

The Government Performance and Results Act (GRPA) requires governmentagencies to develop plans for what they intend to accomplish, measurehow well they are doing, make appropriate decisions based on theinformation they have gathered, and communicate information about theirperformance to Congress and to the public.

The US EPA strategic targets for community water systems in the UnitedStates are: 80% of community water systems and 95% of the populationserved by them are to provide drinking water that meets all existinghealth-based standards with a compliance date of no later than January2008.

In order to monitor compliance with these targets, Community WaterSystems will be measured on the following health-based violations, whichinclude 1) Maximum Contaminant Level (MCL), 2) Maximum ResidualDisinfectant Level (MRDL), and 3) Treatment Technique (TT) violations.

A typical water treatment plant uses the following six step process toprocess raw water into drinking water. Incoming raw ground or surfacewater is 1) chlorinated, 2) coagulation, 3) flocculation, 4)sedimentation, 5) chlorination, 6) filtration and release of thefinished drinking water into the distribution system. However, waterthat is not adequately filtered and purified can contain inorganicpollutants such as lead, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, thegasoline additive MTBE (Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether), volatile organiccompounds (VOCs), and disinfection byproducts.

In addition, water that is not adequately filtered and purified cancontain microbial contaminants that are by far a greater threat thatinorganic pollutants. The first is protozoa. Protozoa include thewell-known Giardia, and the not-so-well-known Cryptosporidium. These twoprotozoa have been detected in 90% of U.S. surface water. Protozoa arethe largest organisms of the three categories, ranging in size from 1-16microns. They are more resistant to disinfection by iodine or chlorinethan either bacteria or virus, but can be effectively filtered. Giardiais relatively large and easy to catch, but Cryptosporidium is morelikely to pass through units which depend upon filtration for parasiteremoval. The second category is bacteria. Bacteria include suchcommonly-known organisms as Campylobacter, E. coli, Vibrio cholera, andSalmonella. Bacteria are intermediate-sized organisms, ranging from 0.2to about 10 microns. The third category is viruses. Commonly knownviruses include Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, Norwalk, and Polio. Viruses aretruly tiny; they range in size between 0.02 and 0.085 microns, whichmakes them extremely difficult to filter. Viruses respond well todisinfection, and can be effectively inactivated using a purifier provento remove or inactivate 99.99% of virus.

In addition, public drinking water may have an objectionable turbidity,contain hydrogen sulfide, may be too acidic or alkaline, or may containradon or radium.

Water treatment plants may also replace the chlorination of incoming rawwater with an ozone process. Intermediate filters, and biologicalfilters may be added to the process, but 98% of the water treatmentplants in the United States chlorinate the processed drinking water thatis released in the distribution system. There exists a tension betweenthe positive benefits of chlorinating water and the increasing amount ofresearch related to the negative effects of chlorinating water.

Chlorine has been linked to several different kinds of cancer, learningdisorders in children, heart trouble, premature senility, hypertensionin adult males, and birth defects.

On the other hand, chlorination has played a critical role in protectingthe United States' drinking water supply from waterborne infectiousdiseases for 90 years. The filtration, purification, and disinfection ofdrinking water have been responsible for a large part of the 50 percentincrease in life expectancy in this century. The filtration andpurification by chlorination of drinking water is undoubtedly the mostsignificant public health advance of the past 1,000 years. However,water that is not adequately filtered and purified can contain inorganicpollutants such as lead, herbicides, pesticides, insecticides, thegasoline additive MTBE (Methyl Tertiary-Butyl Ether), volatile organiccompounds (VOCs), and disinfection byproducts.

In addition, water that is not adequately filtered and purified cancontain microbial contaminants that are by far a greater threat thatinorganic pollutants. The first is protozoa. Protozoa include thewell-known Giardia, and the not-so-well-known Cryptosporidium. These twoprotozoa have been detected in 90% of U.S. surface water. Protozoa arethe largest organisms of the three categories, ranging in size from 1-16microns. They are more resistant to disinfection by iodine or chlorinethan either bacteria or virus, but can be effectively filtered. Giardiais relatively large and easy to catch, but Cryptosporidium is morelikely to pass through units which depend upon filtration for parasiteremoval. The second category is bacteria. Bacteria include suchcommonly-known organisms as Campylobacter, E. coli, Vibrio cholera, andSalmonella. Bacteria are intermediate-sized organisms, ranging from 0.2to about 10 microns. The third category is viruses. Commonly knownviruses include Rotavirus, Hepatitis A, Norwalk, and Polio. Viruses aretruly tiny; they range in size between 0.02 and 0.085 microns, whichmakes them extremely difficult to filter. Viruses respond well todisinfection, and can be effectively inactivated using a purifier provento remove or inactivate 99.99% of virus.

In addition, public drinking water may have an objectionable turbidity,contain hydrogen sulfide, may be too acidic or alkaline, or may containradon or radium.

Chlorinated drinking water's chief benefit is the protection of publichealth through the control of waterborne diseases. It plays a paramountrole in controlling pathogens in water that cause human illness, asevidenced by the virtual absence of waterborne diseases such as typhoidand cholera in developed countries.

Untreated or inadequately treated drinking water supplies remain thegreatest threat to public health, especially in developing countries,where nearly half the population drinks contaminated water. In thesecountries, diseases such as cholera, typhoid and chronic dysentery areendemic and kill young and old alike. In 1990, over three millionchildren under the age of five died of diarrheal diseases.Unfortunately, the availability of safe drinking water in many areas ispractically nonexistent, due to poverty, poor understanding of watercontamination, and lack of a treatment and delivery infrastructure.

International assistance groups, including the World Health Organizationand the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), have long-standingtechnical assistance and education programs to improve water supply andsanitation practices. It has been estimated that suchimprovements—including chlorine disinfection—can prevent 25 percent ofall diarrheal outbreaks and reduce childhood mortality by equal levels.

An example of the continuing public health threat from waterbornedisease outbreaks occurred in Peru in 1991, where a major causativefactor was the absence or inadequacy of drinking water disinfection.This failure to disinfect was partly based on concern about U.S. reportson disinfection by-products. The result: a five-year epidemic ofcholera, its first appearance in the Americas in this century. Theepidemic spread to 19 Latin American countries and has been onlypartially abated through public health interventions supported by PAHO'sadvice and technical assistance. Nearly a million cases and 10,000deaths have been reported.

These statistics strongly reinforce the concept that water disinfectionmust be a primary tool in protecting public health worldwide. As notedby the American Academy of Microbiology, “The single, most importantrequirement that must be emphasized is that disinfection of a publicwater supply should not be compromised.”

At the 1992 First International Conference on the Safety of WaterDisinfection, several researchers described the costs associated withmicrobiological disease as well as the benefits of illness avoidedthrough water treatment. Real health care savings can be realized frompreventing and eliminating microbial contamination in drinking watersupplies.

In his conference presentation, Dr. Pierre Payment of the University ofQuebec stated that the “social cost of ‘mild’ gastrointestinal illnessin industrialized countries is several orders of magnitude higher thancosts associated with acute hospitalized cases.” For example, in theUnited States, annual costs were estimated to be $9.5 billion (1985dollars) for cases with no consultation with a physician, $2.7 billionfor those with consultations, and only $760 million for those requiringhospitalization.

Dr. Payment presented data estimating that in 1985; about 500,000hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths were due to gastrointestinal illnessesin the United States, the majority being of unknown origin. His studyassumed that these numbers are grossly underestimated due to unreportedor unidentified illnesses. Over 13 percent were due to viral illnesses,4.9 percent were bacterial and 1.1 percent was parasitic. About 80percent were presumed noninfectious. One out of ten deaths fromgastroenteritis could be due to viruses. Commenting on Dr. Payment'sreport, the American Academy of Microbiology noted, “A decrease inmorbidity and mortality is not the only benefit which should beconsidered in a cost-benefit analysis . . . The benefits ofmicrobiologically safe water go beyond the absence of disease, andaffect the productivity of industry, as well as the prices of goods andservices.”

At the same conference, a paper by Gunther F. Craun et al. discussed thecost-effectiveness of water treatment for pathogen removal. Anevaluation of five pathogens and treatment costs shows the favorableeconomic benefits of preventing infectious waterborne diseases. Thereport concluded that “municipal water systems designed to preventwaterborne infectious disease are one of the most effective investmentsof public funds that society can make. Even conservative estimates underworst-case conditions show benefit-cost ratios of 3:1 for small systemsand 8:1 for large systems. Pathogen-free drinking water is a bargain.”Regarding comparison of these benefits with potential cancer risksassociated with drinking water disinfection, the group noted that thecosts of preventing the relatively small carcinogenic risks may not bewarranted in light of many other public health risks that should bereduced. Regardless of various Government Agencies and the public watersystem policies they establish and enforce for the good of the public,public water can often be sub-standard and questionable in quality, whatis needed is an end-to-end control of water system quality by a watersystem operators from their plants, through their aging distributionsystems, across the water meter demarcation to the consumer'spoint-of-use, such as, but not limited to, a tap, faucet, hydrant,spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc.

The addition of chlorine to our drinking water started in the late1890's and had wide acceptance in the United States by 1920. JosephPrice, M. D, wrote a fascinating yet largely ignored book in the late1960's, entitled Coronaries Cholesterol. Chlorine, Dr Price believes, isthe primary and essential cause of atherosclerosis is chlorine. “Nothingcan negate the incontrovertible fact the basic cause of atherosclerosisand resulting entities, such as heart attacks and most common forms ofstokes is chlorine. The chlorine contained in processed drinking water.”

This conclusion is based on experiments using chlorine in the drinkingwater of chickens. The results: 95% of the chickens given chlorine addedto distilled water developed atherosclerosis within a few months.

Atherosclerosis, heart attacks and the resulting problems of hardeningof the arteries and plaque formation is really the last step in a seriesof biochemical malfunctions. Price points out it takes ten to twentyyears before symptoms in humans become evident. In many ways, this isreminiscent of cancer which can take twenty to thirty years to develop.

Can chlorine be linked to cancer too? In the chlorination processitself, chlorine combines with natural organic matter decayingvegetation to form potent cancer causing trihalomethanes (THM's) orhaloforms. Trihalomethanes collectively include such carcinogens aschloroforms, bromoforms carbon tectachloride, bischlorothane and others.The amount of THM's in our drinking water is theoretically regulated bythe EPA. Although the maximum amount allowed by law is 100 ppb, a 1976study showed 31 of 112 municipal water systems exceeded this limit.

According to some studies by 1975, the number of chemical contaminantsfound in finished drinking water exceeded 300 ppb. In 1984 over 700chemicals had been found in our drinking water. The EPA has targeted 129of these chemicals as posing the greatest threat to our health.Currently the EPA enforces federal standards for 34 drinking watercontaminants. In July, 1990 they proposed adding 23 new ones and expectsthis list to grow to 85 in 1992.

Another report claims the picture is much worse. According to TroubledWaters on Tap “over 2100 contaminants have been detected in U. S.drinking water since 1974 with 190 known or suspected to cause adversehealth effects at certain concentration levels. In total, 97 carcinogensand suspected carcinogens, 82 mutagens and suspected mutagens, 28 acuteand chronic toxic contaminants, and 23 tumor promoters have beendetected in U. S. drinking water since 1974.

Compounds in this concentration could pose serious toxic effects, eitheralone or in combination with other chemicals found in drinking water.Overall, available scientific evidence continues to substantiate thelink between consumption of toxins in drinking water and serious publichealth concerns, Studies have strengthened the association betweeningestion of toxins and elevated cancer mortality risks. Studies in NewOrleans, La.; Eric County, N.Y., Washington County Md., and Ohio County,Ohio reveal high levels of haloforms or THM's in drinking water whichresults in higher levels of cancer.

The continued use of chlorine as the main drinking water disinfectant inthe United States only adds to the organic chemical contamination ofdrinking water supplies. The current federal standard regulation oftrihalomethanes do not adequately protect water consumers from themultitude of other organic chlorination by-products that have been shownin many studies to be mutagenic and toxic'

“Chlorine is so dangerous” according to biologist/chemist Dr. HerbertSchwartz,” that it should be banned. Putting chlorine in the water islike starting a time bomb. Cancer, heart trouble, premature senility,both mental and physical are conditions attributable to chlorine treatedwater supplies. It is making us grow old before our time by producingsymptoms of aging such as hardening of the arteries. I believe ifchlorine were now proposed for the first time to be used in drinkingwater it would be banned by the Food and Drug Administration.”

The disinfection byproducts debate has led some people to think thatchlorine's use in drinking water treatment will diminish. This is highlyunlikely. Other disinfectants also produce byproducts. Furthermore,chlorine is the disinfectant of choice for drinking water for a numberof reasons. Its wide range of benefits can not be provided by any othersingle disinfectant. Chlorine-based disinfectants are the onlydisinfectants that provide a residual in the distribution system. Thisresidual is an important part of the multi-barrier approach topreventing waterborne disease. The increasing need to disinfectgroundwater systems may actually increase the use of chlorine fordrinking water disinfection.

According to the World Health Organization, disinfection by chlorine isstill the best guarantee of microbiologically safe water and is unlikelyto change in the near future.

Many municipalities are experimenting with a variety of disinfectants toeither take the place of chlorine or to be used in addition, as a way ofcutting down on the amount of chlorine added to the water. However,these alternatives such as chlorine dioxide, bromine chloride,chloromines, etc., are just as dangerous as chlorine. We're replacingone toxic chemical with another.

There are other more appropriate ways to reduce disinfection byproductssuch as precursor removal technologies that will not produce newdisinfection byproducts. On the positive side, some cities are startingto use aeration carbon filtration, ultraviolet light and ozone as safealternatives to chemical disinfectants. But the number of cities and thenumber of people getting water from these methods is minimal.

In the post 9/11 world the contamination of water with biological,chemical or radiological agents has forced the medical community, publichealth agencies and water utilities to consider the possibility ofintentional contamination of US water supplies as part of an organizedeffort to disrupt and damage important elements of the US nationalinfrastructure. In President Bush's 2002 State of the Union Address, itwas noted that confiscated Al Qaeda documents included detailed maps ofseveral US municipal drinking water systems. Some steps have been takento protect and monitor the US drinking water supply, but currently, itis the healthcare providers that are likely to be the first to observeunusual patterns of illness resulting from the intentional introductionof biological, chemical or radiological agents in the drinking watersupply by terrorists. The government has dealt primarily the large scaleattacks on the drinking water supply by terrorist, but not adequatelywith the small scale attacks between the water system operator's plantand the consumer.

In order to minimize liability while increasing the overall health ofthe public, there is a need to disinfect drinking water inexpensivelyprior to distribution and a need to purify the disinfectant used by thewater system operator and to filter out contaminants, such as, but notlimited to, lead from lead pipes, and acts of terrorism before flowingfrom the consumer's point-of-use, in order to control the quality ofwater end-to-end in a water filtration and purification distributionsystem.

Many pipes in the ground are typically on a 50 year depreciationschedule with a 100 year life cycle expectancy, and water systemoperators face infrastructure replacements issues that are massive,particularly in older cities. The present invention's water systemoperator's use of water filter/purifiers located near the consumer'spoint-of-use will dramatically improve the quality of water to theconsumer while allowing water system operators to upgrade theirdistribution systems on a schedule that is manageable. The only way toensure the quality of water is through the use of “post treatment/postdistribution” water filter/purifiers controlled by the water systemoperator and placed near the consumer's point-of-use. The presentinvention is a revolutionary concept for a water system operator toadopt and make an integral part of their program.

In April of 2004 the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environmentheld a hearing on the state of the United State's aging water supplyinfrastructure. Concern has been heightened recently over the conditionof the nation's water supply infrastructure as a result of the presenceof lead pipes in the District of Columbia's drinking water system. TheSubcommittee will receive testimony from representatives of the AmericanWater Works Association (AWWA), the Association of Metropolitan WaterAgencies (AMWA), the National Rural Water Association, and the U.S.Conference of Mayors' Urban Water Council.

Our nation has over 54,000 community water systems. These systemsconsist of a substantial amount of infrastructure, including collectiondevices, drinking water treatment plants, wells, pumps, storagefacilities, transmission and distribution water mains, service lines,and other equipment to deliver water. They provide about 90 percent ofAmericans with their tap water. Approximately 3,000 of these communitysystems provide more than 75 percent of the nation's water. Our nation'sdrinking water infrastructure is an asset that all Americans rely onevery day. It is a cornerstone of both our nation's economic well-beingand our public health. Largely buried underground and invisible to theaverage American, it is also an asset many have taken for granted.

The greatest challenge facing community water systems today is agingpipes and other water infrastructure. It is not uncommon in oldersystems to find pipes that were laid in the 19th century. Due topatterns of investment made to serve population growth beginning wellover a century ago, water utilities are experiencing an urgent andincreasing need to repair and replace this aging infrastructure. As manycommunities are finding, failure to repair and replace aginginfrastructure can result in a loss of valuable water resources,significant economic impacts, and increased risks to public health.

In many cities and towns, water infrastructure has been in place formany decades. Quite often, particularly in the larger cities, componentsof these systems (such as the water mains) are more than a century old.The oldest cast iron pipes, dating to the latter 1800s, have an averagelife expectancy of 100-120 years. Because of changing materials andmanufacturing techniques, pipes laid in the 1920s have an average lifeexpectancy of nearly 100 years, and those laid in the post-World War IIboom are expected to last about 75 years. At this point, these lifeexpectancies are being approached or exceeded in many cities and towns.As the water infrastructure outlives its useful life, it can corrode anddeteriorate, resulting in an epidemic of water leakage, burst watermains, unreliable pumps and collection equipment, and aging treatmentplants that fail to remove important contaminants. With age andincreased demands due to population growth, drinking waterinfrastructure problems in many cities are growing.

One of the most common problems is water loss from water distributionsystems. In most water systems, a large percentage of the water is lostin transit from treatment plants to consumers. The amount of water thatis lost is typically 20-30 percent of production. Some systems,especially older ones, may lose as much as 50 percent.

Leakage is usually the major cause of water loss. There are manypossible causes of leaks, and often a combination of factors leads totheir occurrence. Leakage occurs in various components of thedistribution system, including transmission pipes, main distributionpipes, service connection pipes, joints, valves, and fire hydrants. Thematerial, composition, age, and joining methods of the distributionsystem components can influence leak occurrence. Causes of leaks includecorrosion, cracks, material defects or failure due to deterioration overtime, faulty installation, inadequate corrosion protection, groundmovement over time due to drought or freezing, and repeated excessiveloads and vibration from road traffic. Old pipes often leak substantialamounts of water through corroded areas, cracks, and loose joints.

Leaks waste both money and a precious natural resource. The primaryeconomic loss is the cost of the lost raw water, its treatment, and itstransportation. Leakage leads to additional economic loss in the form ofdamage to the pipe network itself. Such damage may include erosion ofpipe bedding and pipe breaks, and damage to the foundations of roads andbuildings. Leaks also waste substantial amounts of water resources. Thisis particularly critical in areas where the demand for water isoutstripping available supplies. The City of Detroit illustrates thepotential cost of water as a lost commodity. In Detroit, citizens endureannual mid-summer water rationing and pressure problems, yet they pay anestimated $23 million per year for water that never reaches their homesand businesses, because over 35 billion gallons of water leak from theDetroit water system each year. The lost water is reflected in billspaid by every household whose water comes from the Detroit system. Thisis on top of the $1 million the water utility has been spending annuallyon leak detection and repair, and an ongoing $7 billion capitalimprovement program.

The problems associated with gradual leakage are compounded when oldwater mains and other pipes in the water distribution system burst,resulting in the sudden loss of water pressure, flooding, and the lossof even more water. It is common for cities to have scores, hundreds,and even more than a thousand water main breaks each year. For example,last year, there were 1,190 reported breaks along the City ofBaltimore's 3,400 miles of water mains, which deliver drinking water totaps across the city and surrounding counties. This is more than threetimes per day on average. There were 1,140 breaks in 2002. Philadelphia,with a similar amount of pipe, reportedly has an average of 788 rupturesper year, and New York, which has 6,000 miles of mains, has an averageof 550 annual breaks. Boston, which has 1,023 miles of pipe, averages 35breaks per year.

A “reasonable goal” for water systems in North America is 25 to 30breaks per 100 miles of pipe per year, according to a 1995 AmericanWater Works Association Research Foundation report, Distribution SystemPerformance Evaluation. Baltimore is somewhat above that mark, with anaverage of 34 breaks per 100 miles over the past two years. Not farbehind is the Washington Suburban Sanitary Commission, with 33 breaksper 100 miles. Detroit is worse off, with an average of 45 breaks.Several other cities met the goal, some of them relatively young,affluent communities with moderate weather, but also some of them old,less economically vibrant, and in harsh climates. For every 100 miles ofpipe, Phoenix had 29 breaks per year, Pittsburgh had 23, and Hartford20. Chicago and Providence each had 9. San Diego had 5.

In addition to the substantial direct costs of repairing and replacingburst water pipes, millions of dollars in economic losses are incurrednationally each year as a result of businesses and schools forced toclose, flooding and other property damage, closed roads, snarledtraffic, and the like. For example, a 36-inch water main which burst inNew York City a couple of years ago resulted in severe physical damagebecause of the ensuing flooding to 14 businesses and businessdisruptions to an additional 120 businesses, resulting in severalhundred thousand dollars in gross revenue loss from the one incident.Small business disaster assistance was made available for the impactedbusinesses. In Cleveland, a major, 87-year-old water main broke fouryears ago, flooding downtown streets with some 25 million gallons ofwater, stranding cars in the flood, closing many businesses and allschools, including Cleveland State University, and leaving 100,000people without water for a few days. Downtown Cleveland had a secondmajor water-main break about eight months later.

Measures are available to water utilities for reducing water main breaksand other losses of water from their systems. Fundamentally, theyinvolve improved management of a water system's assets. Asset managementapproaches aim to minimize the total cost of buying, operating,maintaining, replacing, and disposing of capital assets during theirlife cycles, while achieving service goals. Measures include thesystematic collection of key data about the water system; theapplication of life-cycle cost analysis and risk assessment to set goalsand priorities; a systematic program of inspections, monitoring, andleak detection and repair; system maintenance, rehabilitation, andreplacement of old pipes and other equipment found to be in need ofrepair; and corrosion control to reduce the effect of corrosive water onthe system.

The General Accounting Office (GAO) issued a report, dated March 2004,in which GAO found that comprehensive asset management has the potentialto help utilities better identify needs and plan future investments.Water utilities that GAO reviewed reported that comprehensive assetmanagement provided them with a better understanding of theirmaintenance, rehabilitation, and replacement needs and thus helpedutility managers make better system management and investment decisions.GAO also found that, although smaller utilities face more obstacles toimplementing asset management, largely as a result of limited resources,such utilities can also benefit from applying asset management concepts.GAO concluded that EPA can play a stronger role in encouraging waterutilities to use asset management by leveraging ongoing efforts withinand outside the Agency. Some utilities already are implementing assetmanagement approaches.

The loss of water pressure from water main breaks or other equipmentbreakdowns also can result in serious contamination of the water supply,thereby creating a public health risk. Additionally, old or poorlymaintained pipes may harbor bacteria and other pathogens that can makepeople sick. Water distribution systems depend on pressure inside thepipes to keep out contamination. If the water pressure drops due to pipebreaks, significant leakage, or pump failures, the possibility increasesof bacteria and other contaminants infiltrating into the pipes throughleak openings, such as corroded areas, cracks, and loose joints, andcontaminating the water. Water utilities typically issue boil-wateradvisories to customers once water pressure is restored.

Moreover, many older water distribution systems used lead pipes todistribute tap water. Municipalities first installed lead pipes duringthe late 19th Century. In 1897, about half of all Americanmunicipalities used at least some lead water pipes. Lead had twofeatures that made it attractive to the engineers who designed publicwater systems: it was both malleable and durable. Malleability reducedlabor costs by making it easier to bend the service main around existinginfrastructure and obstructions, and compared to iron, lead was a softand pliable metal. As for durability, the life of the typical leadservice pipe was considerably longer than plain iron or steel,galvanized, or cement lined pipe. Based solely on engineering concerns,these characteristics made lead an ideal material for service lines.From a narrow engineering stand point, it is clear that lead workedwell, when one examines how popular lead service lines were. At the turnof the 20th Century, the use of lead pipes was widespread, particularlyin medium and large cities.

However, the use of lead pipes has had public health implications.Studies show that ingested lead can have adverse neurological,toxicological, and developmental effects on humans, particularlychildren. In cities that used lead water pipes, it appears there weresome people who were affected by lead, although the effects of leadwater lines varied across cities, and depended on the age of the pipeand the corrosiveness of the associated water supplies. The age of pipeinfluenced lead content because, over time, oxidation formed aprotective coating on the interior of pipes. As for corrosiveness,acidic water leached more lead from the interior of pipes than didnon-acidic water.

Over time, the public health implications of lead pipes became betterunderstood, and other materials were used in place of lead pipes. Today,most lead pipes have been replaced with more modern and safer materials,although some cities still have some areas with lead service lines toolder buildings and lead-containing packing materials used to sealjoints between some pipes. The City of Chicago is reported to have thehighest concentration of lead pipes in the nation. Lead service linesremain in some areas in the District of Columbia. The presence of leadmaterials in water systems is significant because the water passingthrough lead service lines and joint packing materials could becorrosive, thereby leaching lead from the lines and packing materialsand increasing lead levels in the drinking water.

Measures that can be taken by water utilities to reduce lead levels indrinking water include locating and replacing the remaining lead servicelines, and reducing the corrosiveness of the water. Many cities thathave lead service lines have adjusted their water treatment processes tominimize corrosion. Some, such as Chicago and Philadelphia, addphosphates to the water at their treatment plants. The phosphates, incombination with the natural calcium and magnesium minerals in thewater, coat the pipes internally to prevent lead from leaching into thewater. The water supplier for the District of Columbia has not adjustedits water treatment to minimize corrosion, and hence, elevated leadlevels have been reported in drinking water at some locations. Inresponse to the elevated lead levels that were found, the District'swater supplier now is considering adjusting its water treatmentprocesses to add phosphates to the water. It is unclear whether theaddition of phosphates to the District's water will ultimately result inany undesirable increases in phosphorus loadings to the Chesapeake Bayfrom the District's wastewater discharges.

Historically, there had been little Federal assistance for drinkingwater systems. Local communities and private companies built most of themunicipal water systems around the country. Before 1996, the primarysource of Federal funding was the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).Through its Rural Utilities Service, USDA has provided both municipalwater supply and wastewater treatment assistance of over $600 million ayear to communities with populations of less than 10,000.

Following enactment of the 1996 Safe Drinking Water Act Amendments,Congress began providing grants to states to capitalize Drinking WaterState Revolving Loan Funds, modeled after the Clean Water StateRevolving Loan Funds. Through fiscal year 2004, Congress has providedapproximately $7 billion for the Drinking Water State Revolving LoanFunds. Approximately 40 percent of that assistance has been provided forprojects to meet treatment needs, and around 30 percent has been forprojects to meet transmission and distribution needs. The remaining 30percent has been provided for water storage, developing sources,technical assistance, and other drinking water needs.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) submitted a 1999 DrinkingWater Needs Survey to Congress in February 2001, pursuant to the SafeDrinking Water Act. The 1999 Needs Survey estimated drinking waterinfrastructure needs at approximately $150 billion over the next 20years. Over half of the total drinking water infrastructure needs (56percent) are for transmission and distribution systems (pipes).Twenty-one percent of the needs are for infrastructure to meetregulatory requirements. The remaining 19 percent of needs are forstorage facilities, developing sources, and other needs. EPAacknowledges that its survey likely underestimates needs fortransmission and distribution systems because many systems do not have aplan in place for replacing pipes. The Drinking Water Needs Survey isbased on documented needs, which only provide an estimate of needs over5 to 10 years.

In May 2001, the American Water Works Association (AWWA) released areport entitled, “Reinvesting in Drinking Water Infrastructure—Dawn ofthe Replacement Era.” In that report, AWWA projected that expenditureson the order of $250 billion over 30 years might be needed nationwidefor the replacement of worn-out drinking water pipes and associatedstructures (valves, fittings, etc). This figure does not includewastewater infrastructure or the cost associated with complying with newdrinking water standards. A September 2002 EPA report projected thatexpenditures of $120 billion over the next 20 years might be needed forthe replacement of drinking water transmission lines and distributionmains, and another $97.6 billion might be needed for non-pipe(treatment, source, and storage) needs.

There is therefore an unfilled need for a system, method, and apparatuswhich solves these and other problems. This invention has as its primaryobjective fulfillment of this need.

FEATURES OF THE INVENTION

A general feature of the present invention is the provision of system,method, and apparatus for the end-to-end control of water system qualityby a water system operator, such as, but not limited to public andprivate water utilities or departments, and other providers, to theconsumer's point-of-use through the controlled distribution of waterfiltration and purification products which overcomes the problems foundin the prior art.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of anapparatus to filter and purify water prior to the consumer'spoint-of-use, such as, but not limited to, a tap, faucet, hydrant,spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc.

Another feature of the present invention is provision of a method tomonitor a consumer's water filter/purifier usage by meter readings.

Another feature of the present invention is provision of a method tomonitor a consumer's water filter/purifier usage by sensors associatedwith the present invention's water filter/purifier.

Another feature of the present invention is a provision of a system touse the water filter/purifier's usage monitors as the intelligencerequired to drive a replenishment system for the timely replacement ofthe consumer's water filter/purifier located near the point-of-use.

Another feature of the present invention is the provision of waterfilter/purification replaceable cartridges that can be customizedaccording the specific needs of a specific water system operator and/orspecific end users.

One or more of these and/or other objects, features or advantages of thepresent invention will become apparent from the following specificationand claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to the end-to-end control ofwater quality in a water filtration, purification and distributionsystem to a consumer at point-of-use, and more specifically to a system,method, and apparatus to achieve water quality through the controlleddistribution of water filtration and purification products in order toreduce liability of the water system operator, which may be public orprivate, profit or non-profit, while increasing the overall purity ofthe water at the consumer's point-of-use, which has the ultimate goal ofincreasing the health of the consumer.

The present invention extends the control of a water system operatorfrom the meter to the consumer's point of use, such as, but not limitedto a tap, faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc., by providinga water filter/purifier designed to improve the overall quality of thewater through the purification of disinfectants such as, but not limitedto chlorine added by a water system operator, and the filtration ofcontaminants, such as, but not limited to lead from lead pipes, toincrease the health of the consumers they serve while reducing theiroverall liability.

The present invention's end-to-end control of water quality in a waterpurification, filtration, and distribution system to a consumer atpoint-of-use, such as, but not limited to a tap, faucet, hydrant,spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc., and more specifically to a system,method, and apparatus to achieve water quality through the controlleddistribution of water filtration and purification products in order toreduce liability of the water system operator, which may be public orprivate, profit or non-profit, while increasing the overall purity ofthe water at the consumer's point-of-use, such as, but not limited to atap, faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc., which has theultimate goal of increasing the health of the consumer, and overcomingthe enormous costs associated with replacing the nation's aging waterdistribution system infrastructure, with the added benefit of ensuringthat filtered and purified water is available to the consumer at theirpoint-of-use even on the consumer's side of the water meter demarcationpoint.

Through the use of intelligence gained from water meter readings and/orsensors, previously referred to as tattletales, on the consumer's waterfilter/purifier located near the point-of-use, a replenishment system isprovided with key data to drive the necessary business processes toorder, package, and ship replacement consumer water filter/purifiers.

Additionally, quality control measures may be instituted to ensure thereplacement filter/purifier cartridge has been installed, which mayinclude the return of the used water filter/purifier, or the automaticclosing of a valve in the water filtration and purification unit due tofeedback from internal meter readings and monitors, or feedback from anexternal source, such as, but not limited to a signal from the watersystem operator's database.

According to one aspect of the invention, a method of providingend-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a pointof delivery proximate a consumer is provided. The method includestreating the water, delivering the water to the point of delivery,filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery, monitoring waterquality at the point of delivery, and reporting water quality at thepoint of delivery to the water system operator over a network. The stepof filtering/purifying the water is preferably performed using a waterfilter/purifier cartridge. Also, water usage of the consumer may bemonitored and the water usage may be reported to the water systemoperator over the network. Where a water filter/purifier cartridge isused, an estimate of when the cartridge needs replaced may be made.Thus, a replacement cartridge may be sent to the consumer prior to whenthe cartridge needs replacement.

According to another aspect of the invention a method of providingend-to-end water quality control from a water system operator to a pointof delivery proximate a consumer is provided. The method includestreating the water, delivering the water to the consumer at the point ofdelivery, filtering/purifying the water at the point of delivery,monitoring water quality at the point of delivery, reporting waterquality at the point of delivery to the water system operator over anetwork, stopping supply of the water at the point of delivery if thewater quality is below a threshold, and providing a promise from thewater system operator to the consumer that the water quality is abovethe threshold. The method may further include billing the consumer forproducts or services associated with water delivery, including deliveryof the water itself, monitoring of water quality, or replacementfilter/purification cartridges. The water quality can be determined in anumber of different in ways, including based on concentration levels ofcontaminants within the water. The present invention also preferablyprovides for stopping supply of the water to a water fixture at thepoint of delivery if the water quality at the point of delivery is belowa threshold.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, a method ofproviding end-to-end water quality control from a water system operatorto a point of delivery proximate a consumer is provided. The methodincludes treating the water, delivering the water to the consumer at thepoint of delivery, filtering and purifying the water at the point ofdelivery, monitoring the total volume of water passing the point ofdelivery, reporting the total volume of water passing the point ofdelivery to the water system operator over a network, stopping supply ofthe water at the point of delivery if the total water volume is above athreshold, and providing a promise from the water system operator to theconsumer that the total volume of water is below the threshold.

The method of the present invention is advantageous in several ways.First, the present invention is designed to provide the very bestdrinking water that meets or exceeds the same EPA standards for waterleaving a water treatment plant at a specific consumer's point-of-use.The only way to continuously ensure that drinking quality waterdelivered to a consumer's point-of-use meets or exceeds the same EPAstandards for drinking water that has been distributed through the aginginfrastructure of uncertain integrity of the water system operator andthe in-building infrastructure beyond the water meter demarcation pointis to filter and purify the water again at the consumer's point-of-use.It has been estimated that nationwide in the United States it would costan estimated 1-3 trillion dollars to upgrade water system operator'sdistribution system, which does not include the upgrade of consumer'sin-building water pipes and fixtures. The present invention is a “lastinch technology” that is intended to ensure the very best drinking waterthat meets or exceeds the same EPA standards for water leaving a watertreatment plant is available at a specific consumer's point-of-use, notjust at the water meter demarcation point. In a post 9-11 world it isincumbent upon Federal and State government agencies, including,environmental, emergency management, and homeland security, to regulatewater quality all the way to consumer's point-of-use for all forms ofcontaminants, not just lead, copper, and coliforms. Furthermore, it isincumbent upon Federal and State governments to monitor water qualitymore frequently and more widespread and more frequently than mandated bythe EPA, particularly in the post 9-11 world. The present inventionwould allow continuous monitoring, filtration and purification of waterat the consumer's point-of-use.

Second, the present invention overcomes the unregulated bottled waterindustry, which uses costly, environmentally unfriendly bottles that gointo the nation's landfills. Consumers believe the water they aredrinking from bottles is filtered and purified to EPA standards, but infact this industry is unregulated and a health concern to consumers.

Third, the present invention's replaceable filter/purifier cartridgescan be customized to meet the various specific needs of the consumerconnected to a water system operator's system.

Fourth, the present invention is advantageous as it will not costanything for water system operators or the Federal and State Governmentagencies to implement, yet they will be able to ensure their customersand constituents will be receiving EPA quality water all the way to theconsumer's point-of-use. The present invention provides the waterfilter/purifier, water filter/purifier replacement cartridges customizedfor the specific needs of consumers in specific water system operators,fulfillment centers, and mailers. The water system operator would add anew line item to their monthly billing statement, charge the consumer anominal cost, collect the revenue, and distribute the revenueaccordingly, while reducing their liability, providing widespread, nearreal-time monitoring of water quality, and going the last inch to filterand purify water to EPA standards for water quality at the plant.

A more complete understanding of the system, method, and apparatus forthe end-to-end control of water system quality through the controlleddistribution of water filtration and purification products will beafforded to those skilled in the art, as well as a realization of theadditional features and advantages thereof, by a consideration of thefollowing detailed description of the preferred embodiment. Referencewill be made to the appended drawings which will first be describedbriefly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A is a pictorial representation of uncontrolled end-to-end waterpurification and distribution system without a consumer controlled waterfilter/purifier.

FIG. 1B is a pictorial representation of uncontrolled end-to-end waterpurification and distribution system with a consumer controlled waterfilter/purifier near the point-of-use.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, which is a water system operator controlledend-to-end water purification and distribution system, including a watersystem operator controlled water filter/purifier located near theconsumer's point-of-use, and a system to monitor water filter/purifierusage in order to intelligently replenish the consumer's waterfilter/purifier located near the point-of-use.

FIG. 3 illustrates the general topography of the data collection andcommunication system of preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the preferred water filter/purifier for usewith the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an information flow diagram according to one embodiment of thepresent invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT

The present invention relates generally to the end-to-end control ofwater quality in a water filtration, purification and distributionsystem to a consumer at point-of-use, such as, but not limited to a tap,faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc., and more specificallyto a system, method, and apparatus to achieve water quality through thecontrolled distribution of water filtration and purification products inorder to reduce liability of the water system operator, which may bepublic or private, profit or non-profit, while increasing the overallpurity of the water at the consumer's point-of-use, such as, but notlimited to a tap, faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc.,which has the ultimate goal of increasing the health of the consumer.

One option of the present invention is the provision of a sensor toreport the contamination of the public drinking water supply that mayhave occurred beyond the physical boundaries of a water treatmentfacility. This contamination by the unintentional introduction ofbiological, chemical or radiological agents. Also, in the post 9/11world this contamination may be intentional. The present invention'sfilter/purifier can optionally include sensors to monitor the presenceof undesirable biological, chemical or radiological agents that arecapable of communicating with the appropriate government agencies,health agencies, and the appropriate public water supply operator.

The present invention extends the control of a water system operatorfrom the meter to the consumer's point-of-use, such as, but not limitedto a tap, faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc., by providinga water filter/purifier designed be placed near the consumer'spoint-of-use in order to control and improve the overall quality of thewater and increase the health of the consumers they serve while reducingtheir overall liability.

Through the use of intelligence gained from water meter readings and/orsensors on water filter/purifiers located near the consumer'spoint-of-use a replenishment system can be provided with key data todrive the necessary business processes to order, package, and shipreplacement water filter/purifiers for water filter/purifier unitscontrolled by the water system operator and located near the consumer'spoint-of-use, such as, but not limited to a tap, faucet, hydrant,spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc., for installation by the consumer.

Additionally, quality control measures may be instituted to ensure thereplacement filter/purifier cartridge has been installed, which mayinclude the return of the used water filter/purifier, or the automaticclosing of a valve in the water filtration and purification unit due tofeedback from internal meter and monitors, or feedback from an externalsource, such as, but not limited to a signal from the water systemoperator's database.

Acronyms & Abbreviations

CWS: Community Water System

GPRA: Government Performance and Results Act—Program Measures

M/R: Monitoring/Reporting Violation [water system's failure to monitorfor, or report to the state, the level of a contaminant on the requiredschedule]

MCL: Maximum Contaminant Level [the legal limit of a contaminant indrinking water]

MRDL: Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level [for disinfectants added todrinking water]

NTNCWS: Non-Transient Non-Community Water System

PWS: Public Water System

PWSS: Public Water System Supervision Program

TNCWS: Transient Non-Community Water System

TT: Treatment Technique [a drinking water treatment required by EPA orstate rules]

FIG. 1A is a pictorial representation of uncontrolled end-to-end waterpurification and distribution system without a consumer controlled waterfilter/purifier. Raw water 100 is sourced from either surface water orground water. Typically raw water 100 coming into a water purificationplant is disinfected by a chlorination 101 process. Water is disinfectedbut never completely sterilized in the water treatment process. Thisdisinfection is a two part process that typically includes: 1) removalof particulate matter by filtration, and 2) inactivation of pathogenicmicroorganisms by chlorine, chlorine dioxide, ozone, or otherdisinfectants. Varying degrees of disinfection can be attained byaltering the type and concentration of disinfectant, as well as the timewater is in contact with the disinfectant.

The next steps of water purification are coagulation 110 andflocculation 120. The coagulation 110 process adds chemicals known ascoagulants, such as aluminum sulfate, or alum. In water, alum formssticky globs, commonly called flocs that attach themselves to bacteriaand other impurities. The water that has been coagulated is pumped intoa settling basin where the flocs and associated contaminants sink to thebottom. This process is known as sedimentation 130. These steps of waterpurification remove most of the impurities from the incoming raw water100.

As an example, water being treated is then pumped through a filtrationprocess 140, which may consist of a 2½ foot bed of sand on top of a 1foot bed of gravel. Sometimes a layer of anthracite (coarse black coal)and/or garnet may be added to the filter bed. The different materialsact like a giant strainer and trap the particles the sedimentationprocess doesn't capture.

After the filtration process 140, the water flowing through the waterpurification plant undergoes an additional chlorination 101′ process.The chlorinated water flows into what is known as the clearwell, whichis the first point in the process of purifying water in which it is in apotable (drinkable condition). The finished water 141 is sampled fromthe clearwell before it is released into the distribution system 150.

The distribution system 150 consists of pipes, pumps, reservoirs, andelevated tanks. Prior to entering a consumer's premise the water flowsthrough a meter to measure the amount of water an individual or businessuses on a periodic basis. The meter reading is the basis for charging aconsumer an amount based on their actual usage.

The dashed line in FIG. 1A is meant to graphically represent the area ofcontrol a water system operator has, which is to the water meter at theend of their distribution system 150. Water system operators do notfilter processed drinking water between their distribution system 150and the consumer's tap 160. Other points-of-use include but are notlimited to a faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc.

In this scenario, the liability for end-to-end water quality has notbeen assumed by the water system operator, which may be public orprivate, profit or non-profit. Also, in this scenario there is noprovision for an apparatus near the consumer's tap 160 to monitor theoverall quality of the water nearest the consumer's tap 160.

FIG. 1B is a pictorial representation of uncontrolled end-to-end waterpurification and distribution system that includes a consumer controlledwater filter/purifier. Raw water 100 is sourced from either surfacewater or ground water. Typically raw water 100 coming into a waterpurification plant is disinfected by a chlorination 101 process. Wateris disinfected but never completely sterilized in the water treatmentprocess. This disinfection is a two part process that typicallyincludes: 1) removal of particulate matter by filtration, and 2)inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms by chlorine, chlorine dioxide,ozone, or other disinfectants. Varying degrees of disinfection can beattained by altering the type and concentration of disinfectant, as wellas the time water is in contact with the disinfectant.

The next steps of water purification are coagulation 110 andflocculation 120. The coagulation 110 process adds chemicals known ascoagulants, such as aluminum sulfate, or alum. In water, alum formssticky globs, commonly called flocs, which attach themselves to bacteriaand other impurities. The water that has been coagulated is pumped intoa settling basin where the flocs and associated contaminants sink to thebottom; this process is known as sedimentation 130. These steps of waterpurification remove most of the impurities from the incoming raw water100.

As an example, water being treated is then pumped through a filtrationprocess 140, which may consist of a 2½ foot bed of sand on top of a 1foot bed of gravel. Sometimes a layer of anthracite (coarse black coal)and/or garnet may be added to the filtration bed. The differentmaterials act like a giant strainer and trap the particles thesedimentation process doesn't capture.

After the filtration process 140, the water flowing through the waterpurification plant undergoes an additional chlorination 101′ process.The chlorinated water flows into what is known as the clearwell, whichis the first point in the process of purifying water in which it is in apotable (drinkable condition). The finished water 141 is sampled fromthe clearwell before it is released into the distribution system 150.

The distribution system 150 consists of pipes, pumps, reservoirs, andelevated tanks. Prior to entering a consumer's premise the water flowsthrough a meter to measure the amount of water an individual or businessuses on a periodic basis. The meter reading is the basis for charging aconsumer an amount based on their actual usage.

The dashed line in FIG. 1B is meant to graphically represent the area ofcontrol a water system operator has, which is to the water meter at theend of their distribution system 150. Water system operators do notfilter processed drinking water between their distribution system 150and the consumer's tap 160. Other points-of-use include but are notlimited to a faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc.

In FIG. 1B the consumer has made a decision to install a filter 170 toimprove the quality of the finished water 141 they receive from theirwater system operator via their connection to a water meter at the endof the distribution system 150.

In this scenario, the liability for end-to-end water quality has notbeen assumed by the water system operator, which may be public orprivate, profit or non-profit. Also, in this scenario there is noprovision for an apparatus near the consumer's tap 160 to monitor theoverall quality of their water.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, which is a controlled end-to-end water purificationand distribution system, including a water system operator controlledwater filter/purifier located near the consumer's point-of-use, such as,but not limited to a tap, faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib,etc., and a system to monitor water usage in order to intelligentlyreplenish the water system operator's controlled water filter/purifierlocated near the consumer's point-of-use.

FIG. 2 is a pictorial representation of controlled end-to-end waterpurification and distribution system that includes a water systemoperator controlled water filter/purifier. Raw water 100 is sourced fromeither surface water or ground water. Typically raw water 100 cominginto a water purification plant is disinfected by a chlorination 101process. Water is disinfected but never completely sterilized in thewater treatment process. This disinfection is a two part process thattypically includes: 1) removal of particulate matter by filtration, and2) inactivation of pathogenic microorganisms by chlorine, chlorinedioxide, ozone, or other disinfectants. Varying degrees of disinfectioncan be attained by altering the type and concentration of disinfectant,as well as the time water is in contact with the disinfectant.

The next steps of water purification are coagulation 110 andflocculation 120. The coagulation 110 process adds chemicals known ascoagulants, such as aluminum sulfate, or alum. In water, alum formssticky globs, commonly called flocs, which attach themselves to bacteriaand other impurities. The water that has been coagulated is pumped intoa settling basin where the flocs and associated contaminants sink to thebottom; this process is known as sedimentation 130. These steps of waterpurification remove most of the impurities from the incoming raw water100.

As an example, water being treated is then pumped through a filtrationprocess 140, which may consist of a 2½ foot bed of sand on top of a 1foot bed of gravel. Sometimes a layer of anthracite (coarse black coal)and/or garnet may be added to the filtration bed. The differentmaterials act like a giant strainer and trap the particles thesedimentation process doesn't capture.

After the filtration process 140, the water flowing through the waterpurification plant undergoes an additional chlorination 101′ process.The chlorinated water flows into what is known as the clearwell, whichis the first point in the process of purifying water in which it is in apotable (drinkable condition). The finished water 141 is sampled fromthe clearwell before it is released into the distribution system 150.

The distribution system 150 consists of pipes, pumps, reservoirs, andelevated tanks. Prior to entering a consumer's premise the water flowsthrough a meter to measure the amount of water an individual or businessuses on a periodic basis. The meter reading is the basis for charging aconsumer an amount based on their actual usage.

The dashed line in FIG. 2 is meant to graphically represent the area ofcontrol a water system operator has, which is the consumer'spoint-of-use, tap 160, other points-of-use include, but are not limitedto a faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc., connected to thewater system operator's distribution system 150.

In FIG. 2 the water system operator, which may be public or private,profit or non-profit, has made a decision to install a filter 170 nearthe consumer's point-of-use, including but not limited to a tap, faucet,hydrant, spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc., to improve the quality of theprocessed water 141 to the consumer they flow through their distributionsystem 150.

In this scenario, the liability for end-to-end water quality from theraw water 100 to the consumer's tap 160 has been assumed by the watersystem operator, which may be public or private, profit or non-profit.

The preferred water filter/purifier 170 for use in this end-to-end waterquality control system is the Almega™ as shown in FIG. 4, although, anywater filter/purifier can be used in conjunction with the presentinvention to control the filtration and purification of water near theconsumer's point-of-use.

One feature of the present invention's preferred Almega™ waterfilter/purifier 170 is the provision of water filter/purificationreplaceable cartridges that can be customized according the specificfiltration and purifications needs of a specific water system operatorand/or specific end users.

In FIG. 2 a monitor process 300 using data collected from the watermeter connected to the end of a water system operator's distributionsystem is the primary source of feedback regarding the probable statusof water filter/purifier 170. Alternatively, or in conjunction with awater meter reading, or a sensor on water filter/purifier 170 can beused to indicate whether the meter is still operating within itsintended parameters of safety. The feedback gathered in monitor process300 is reported via an interface 310 into a database 320. On a simplelevel, the water system operator may choose to use their periodic meterreadings to monitor the amount of water flow that water filter/purifier170 would experience. Knowing a particular consumer's water consumptionhabits in conjunction with meter readings would enable a highly educatedestimate to be made as to the proper time to send a replacement waterfilter/purifier cartridge for water filter/purifier 170 to a consumer.In addition to estimating the time at which to send a replacement waterfilter/purifier cartridge for water filter/purifier 170, the waterfilter/purifier can also include a sensor that provides a visualindication that would provide a consumer an indication that the waterfilter/purifier cartridge for water filter/purifier 170 was in need ofreplacement. Additionally, water filter/purifier 170 can include asensor that is connected to a communication interface device and providean electronic signal that is an indication that the waterfilter/purifier cartridge for water filter/purifier 170 was in need ofreplacement.

Interface 310 which is used to report feedback gathered in monitorprocess 300 to database 320 may be controlled by either the water systemoperator, or may be in the hands of the consumer. Examples of interface310 which is controlled by a water system operator may include manualinput from a computer keyboard, data collected in the form of a barcodefrom a barcode scanner, data collected from the download of a meterreader's collection device into a computer system, etc. In addition, awater system operator controlled interface may include the transmissionand receipt of a signal from a sensor integrated into waterfilter/purifier 170 indicating that water filter/purifier 170 is nearingthe end of its safe operational life. Presumably, this signal would bean electronic signal that could be sent via a wireless or hard-wiredmedium. At a low level, water filter/purifier 170 would make a visualsignal that a consumer would understand to mean that waterfilter/purifier 170 was nearing the end of its safe operational life.

Examples of customer controlled interface 310 into database 320 toreport self-made meter readings and/or a water filter/purifier 170visual indication from a sensor signal, such as, but not limited to alighted LED, include, but is not limited to the following, Internetweb-pages, computer-telephone interfaces, a telephone call, completing acard and mailing it to a water system operator, etc.

Database 320 can be operated by the water system operator, or by a thirdparty on behalf of a water system operator. Database 320 is capable ofbeing programmed to predict water filter/purifier cartridge life basedon actual meter readings and/or estimated usage and/or a waterfilter/purifier 170 sensor signal.

Database 320 is capable of generating output to a replenishment system.The replenishment system would be capable of issuing an order tomanufacture, or pull from inventory a replacement water filter/purifiercartridge, and route a replacement filter/purifier cartridge throughshipping to a consumer. A quality control system may be instituted by awater system operator to ensure that the replacement cartridge for waterfilter/purifier 170 has been installed by requiring the usedfilter/purifier cartridge for water filter/purifier 170 be returned. Inorder to assist this process, a unique alpha-number, alpha, or numericidentifier on a water filter/purifier cartridge can be used to link aspecific water filter/purifier 170 to a specific consumer connected tothe water system operator's distribution system 150.

Database 320 is capable of storing the appropriate records for waterfilter/purifier 170 cartridges that have been customized for thespecific water filtration and purification needs of a specific watersystem operator and/or end user.

FIG. 3 illustrates the general topography of the data collection andcommunication system of preferred embodiment of the present invention.The present invention provides servers 330, 330′ which contain databases340 and 340′ respectively. Databases 340, 340′ are used to storeinformation related to a water filter/purifier including the demographicinformation of the consumer. This demographic information stored ondatabases 340, 340′ can be used to drive a messaging system.

Databases 340, 340′ are accessible via the Internet 320. Servers 330,330′ can be a collection of one or more servers, computers, etc. thatare able to provide functionality for the present invention. Servers330, 330′ can include multiple similar and distinct hardware componentsor models, such as but not limited to Dell, IBM, Sun, HP and requiredoperating system software such as but not limited to UNIX, MicrosoftWindows, Redhat Linux and other required supportive operating systems.In addition, servers 330, 330′ can include a multitude of supportingsoftware components required to support the implementation of thepresent invention including, but not limited to Apache Web Serversoftware, Microsoft IIS Web Server Software, Oracle, MySQL, LightweightDirectory Access Protocol (LDAP), Domain Name System (DNS) and HyperTextTransfer Protocol (HTTP), Voice recognition software, Voice applicationengines, Application engines, and CORBA software and middleware.Databases 340, 340′ represents the storage of data including softwarerequired to run servers 330, 330′ and provide functionality for thepresent invention. Databases 340, 340′ can be attached to server 330,330′ via network transport or bus connections including, but not limitedto Small Computer Systems Interface (SCSI), Internet SCSI (iSCSI),Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI), Fiber optic transport, FiberChannel, TCP/IP, and SNA. In addition, databases 340, 340′ can be acollection of one or more media storage units that are located locallyor remotely to servers 330, 330′. Databases 340, 340′ can be built onstorage such as, but not limited to, magnetic and optical media. Thesesystems and associated software may be housed in an Internet Data Centerequipped with fully redundant subsystems, such as multiple fiber trunkscoming from multiple sources, redundant power supplies, and backup powergenerators. Databases 340, 340′ may also utilize firewall technology tosecurely protect the information stored in databases 340, 340′. Inaddition, database 340, 340′ may provide secure access through the useof passwords, Personal Identification Numbers (PIN), and/or biometricidentification. Such systems are commonly used in applications such asthose described in the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 shows consumer 301 connected to database 340, 340′ via accessnetworks 310. Access Networks 310 may be configured as Cable TV or PSTN,and can be used for accessing information stored in databases 340, 340′,and for messaging consumer 301 and/or devices 304, 304′, 304″ which areconnected to one of these types of networks. Devices 304, 304′, 304″ maybe devices such as, but not limited to, intelligent building interfaces,PCs, TVs, set-tops boxes, Internet appliances, e-mail stations,telephones, etc. Devices 304′, 304″ are shown connected to a router 305which is connected to Access Network 310′. As an example, router 305 canbe of the type included in a Linksys “EtherFast 10/100 Network in aBox”, product number FENSK05. Water filter/purifier 170 is shown with anoptional connection from a sensor on water filter/purifier 170 to device304 which is configured as an intelligent building interface.

At a minimum, access networks 310, 310′ are typically configured with amultiplexer 312, 312′ and line interface device 311, 311′. The lineinterface device 311, 311′ may be configured as a stand-alone modem, aPCMCIA card, as a wireless POP, or integrated into devices 304, 304′,304″ such as, but not limited to, water filter/purifier 170 PCs,telephones, set-top boxes, etc.

The multiplexer 312, 312′ may be located at the Central Office, orDigital Loop Carrier of a telephony network, or the Head-End, orintermediate node of a Cable TV network, or at a third-party ApplicationServer Provider's office, or the network center of an auction house,etc. The multiplexer 312, 312′ is capable of receiving analog anddigital signals including, but not limited to, Internet traffic 320including e-mail from e-mail servers 380, 380′ and data from servers340, 340′, and voice feed from the PSTN 315, and data from servers 340,340′, etc. The multiplexed signal from multiplexer 312, 312′ may betransmitted over a variety of transmission medium, including but notlimited to, coaxial cable, fiber optic cable, twisted pair, plasticfiber cable, airwaves, or a combination of these.

Databases 340, 340′ can be accessed by a specific user 301, 301′ throughthe Internet 320 to add, modify, and delete data related to a consumer'swater filter/purifier 170.

FIG. 4 is an illustration of the preferred water filter/purifier for usewith the present invention. The water filter/purifier 170 which ispreferably constructed in accordance with or certified by the NSF/ANSIStandard 42 or 53. NSF ANSI Standard 42 is entitled “Drinking WaterTreatment Units—Aesthetic Effects.” This standard covers point-of-use(POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems designed to reduce specificaesthetic or non-health related contaminants (chlorine, taste and odor,and particulates) that may be present in public or private drinkingwater. NSF/ANSI Standard 53 is entitled “Dinking Water TreatmentUnits—Health Effects.” This standard is directed towards point-of-use(POU) and point-of-entry (POE) systems designed to reduce specifichealth-related contaminants, such as Cryptosporidium, Giardia, lead,volatile organic chemicals (VOCs), MTBE (methyl tertiary-butyl ether),that may be present in public or private drinking water.

The water filter/purifier 170 includes at least one water qualitysensor. As shown in FIG. 4, water quality sensors 400A, 400B, and 400Care present. Each water sensor can be a sensor of any number of typesbased in part on the particular water quality needs of a location andthe characteristics of water typically supplied to that location. Waterquality sensors may be used to read water for a variety of chemical andbiological agents as well as clarity, rate of movement, and otherphysical properties or characteristics of the water. Monitored waterquality factors may include pH, dissolved carbon dioxide, dissolvedoxygen, biological oxygen demand (BOD), conductivity or dissolvedsolids, suspended solids, turbidity, or other factors. Other non-waterquality sensors may be used to read other essential factors, such as,but not limited to flow volumes through the water filter/purifiercartridge, which can be equated to the life expectancy of a replacementfilter/purifier cartridge 430, etc. The water quality sensors may alsointegrate control functionality such as set limits, regulator andP/PI/PID control functions. Water quality sensors can also have simplecontrol relay outputs. The water quality sensor may include the abilityto self-calibrate, perform various self-test functions, and generateevent triggers, or incorporate other types of features as may beappropriate in a particular installation.

As shown in FIG. 4, each of the water quality sensors 400A, 400B, 400Cis electrically connected to an LED 410A, 410B, 410C through LED wire405A, 405B, 405C. The LEDs 410A, 410B, 410C function as visibleindicator lights to provide visual feedback to a consumer. For example,the presence of the light may indicate a positive or negative waterquality, the condition of the filter/purifier, or other states of thefilter/purifier.

A communication interface 426 is also shown. The communication interface426 electrically connects the water quality sensors 400A, 400B, 400C toa network or directly to a computing device. The present inventioncontemplates that the communication may be of numerous types, includinga parallel network, a serial network, or other type of network device.Power wire 427 is used to provide electricity for powering the waterquality sensors.

The water filter/purifier 170 includes a replacement filter/purifiercartridge 430. The replaceable filter/purifier cartridge 430 ispreferably designed or selected to filter and purify water according tolocal conditions and needs. Filtration and purification methods include,but are not limited to, membranes, iodine, chlorine, ultra-violetradiation, iodinated resin, reverse osmosis, charcoal, and otherfiltration and purification methods. These various methods may beemployed alone or in various combinations. A cartridge cover 440 ispositioned on the replaceable filter/purifier cartridge 430. Thecartridge cover 440 may be a removable lid which includes a seal toprevent water from leaking out of the replacement filter/purifiercartridge 430. The lid is operatively connected in any number of wayssuch as through attachment with fasteners or the lid may form integralthreads to screw into a thread on the housing 470 of the waterfilter/purifier 170. Disposed within the housing 170 of thefilter/purifier 170 are chambers 450A, 450B, and 450C. The internal,integral chambers in the housing carry water through an optional sensorbank to the filter/purifier cartridge 430 and then out of the waterfilter/purifier 170 to the point-of-use.

The filter/purifier 170 also includes an input tube 460A and an outputtube 460B. The input tube 460A is connected between fitting 465A andfitting 465B. There is a second input tube 460C also shown. The outputtube 460B is connected between fitting 465C and fitting 465F. There isalso a second output tube 460D shown.

A valve 475 is also shown. The valve regulates the flow of liquid andmay be operated electronically. The valve also can act as a black flowpreventer. An outflow fitting 480 is also shown. The purpose of theoutflow fitting 480 is to allow water filter/purifier units to be daisychanged in order to provide a second, third, or otherwise subsequentstage of filtering in which different contaminants are removed. Theoutflow fitting 480 can also be used to interface options such as, butnot limited, to ultraviolet purifier for microbial control or even forchlorine and chloramines removal. The outflow fitting 480 can also beused for TOC reduction and ozone removal.

The water filter/purifier 170 can be integrated into a point-of-use,such as, but not limited to, a tap, faucet, hydrant, spigot, spout,valve, bib, etc. In addition, the water filter/purifier 170 can be astand-alone unit located near a point-of-use and piped into apoint-of-use, such as, but not limited to, a tap, faucet, hydrant,spigot, spout, valve, bib, etc. The water filter/purifier 170 can alsobe mounted under a sink, in a water fountain cabinet, etc. The waterfilter/purifier 170 can be designed to serve more than one point-of-useby locating the unit between the demarcation point and the first branchof an in-building distribution system. The water filter/purifier can besized to accommodate the filtration/purification needs of a singledwelling, multiple-dwelling unit, or a business.

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram according to one embodiment of the presentinvention. In FIG. 5, an end user or consumer 100 is associated with apoint of delivery monitoring and/or control system 104. Informationpasses between the end user or consumer 100, the point of deliverymonitoring and/or control system 104 and a water system operator 102.The information may be sent over a communications network of any numberof types or varieties.

FIG. 5 further illustrates exemplary types of information that flowbetween the water system operator and the end user/consumer and/or thepoint of delivery monitoring/control system. For example, the watersystem operator 102 can send information such a command or message 110to close a water valve. Thus, the water system operator 102 candiscontinue the flow of water at the point of delivery if the waterquality is determined to be unsafe. The monitor/control system 104 cansend information 112 to the water system operator. The information 112may include water usage information, replenishment information, and/orwater quality information. The replenishment information can includeinformation regarding the condition of filter/purifiers cartridges orother materials that may require replacement. The water qualityinformation can include information sensed by sensors with the point ofdelivery monitoring and/or control system 104.

The water system operator 102 and the end user/consumer 100 also have arelationship as shown in FIG. 5 in that the water system operator 102bills the end user/consumer 100 for water usage, replenishment ofconsumables such as replacement water filter purifiers, and relatedservices. The end user or consumer 100 provides payment 106 for thewater and related consumables or services. The billing and paymentinformation may be exchanged in any number of ways either conventionalor otherwise. In addition, the water system operator 102 may provide awarranty or guarantee of the quality of the water to the end user orconsumer 100. The water system operator is able to do so because thewater system operator is able to provide end-to-end control of waterquality. This is highly advantageous to both the end/user consumer 100as well as the water system operator 102 as the consumer can feel securethat their water is safe to drink while the water system operator isable to obtain premium pricing on their water or related services.

Having thus described a preferred embodiment and other embodiments of asystem, method, and apparatus for the water system operator's end-to-endcontrol of water quality in a water purification and distribution systemto a consumer's point-of-use through the controlled distribution ofwater filtration and purification products, it should be apparent tothose skilled in the art that certain advantages of the presentinvention have been achieved. It should also be appreciated that variousmodifications, adaptations, and alternatives may be made. It is ofcourse not possible to describe every conceivable combination ofcomponents for purposes of describing the present invention. All suchpossible modifications are to be included within the spirit and scope ofthe present invention which is to be limited only by the followingclaims.

1. A method of providing end-to-end water quality control from a watersystem operator to a point of delivery proximate a consumer and outsideof a water distribution system of the water system operator, comprising:treating water using customized filters after the water leaves the waterdistribution system of the water system operator; delivering the waterto the consumer at the point of delivery, the point of delivery beingoutside of the water distribution system of the water system operator;purifying the water at the point of delivery; monitoring water qualityat the point of delivery to provide water quality data; predicting waterquality at the point of delivery based on reporting of water usage andthe water quality data; and wherein the customized filters beingcustomized based on the water quality data.
 2. The method of claim 1wherein the customized filters are deployed in serial in a housing. 3.The method of claim 1 wherein the customized filters are deployed inserial in different housings.
 4. The method of claim 1 wherein thecustomized filters are deployed in parallel in order to provide aback-up.
 5. The method of claim 1 wherein the customized filters locatedproximate to a consumer, are at a point of entry into a building.
 6. Themethod of claim 1 wherein the customized filters located proximate to aconsumer, are between a point of entry into a building and a consumer'spoint of use.
 7. The method of claim 1 wherein the customized filtersare located at a point of use.
 8. The method of claim 1 wherein thecustomized filters are at a point of entry, and/or between the point ofentry and point of use, and/or at the point of use.
 9. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the end-to-end water quality control system is mandatedby a controlling authority.
 10. The method of claim 9 wherein thecontrolling authority is a governmental authority.
 11. The method ofclaim 1 wherein the water usage is reported by at least one of the setconsisting of an Internet web page, a telephone, a computer telephoneinterface, and completing a card and mailing the card.
 12. A method forproviding a replacement customized water filter, comprising: remotelymonitoring water quality over a period of time using one or more sensorsat a location proximate a water filter to collect water quality data;reporting the water quality data; customizing a replacement water filterto replace the water filter based on the water quality data; determininga replacement time associated with the water filter prior to thereplacement time based on reported water usage measurements.
 13. Themethod of claim 12 wherein the step of customizing the replacement waterfilter comprises determining one or more components of the replacementwater filter based on the water quality data.
 14. The method of claim 12wherein the step of customizing the replacement water filter includesselecting one or more components from the set consisting of anultra-violet light component, an iodinated resin component, a membranecomponent, an ozone component, and a distillation component.
 15. Themethod of claim 12 wherein the replacement water filter provides forpurification of water.
 16. The method of claim 12 wherein thereplacement water filter is housed within a cartridge.
 17. The method ofclaim 12 wherein the replacement water filter comprises a plurality ofwater filtration and purification components.
 18. The method of claim 12further comprising sending the replacement water filter to a locationassociated with the water filter.
 19. The method of claim 12 furthercomprising sending the replacement water filter to a customer associatedwith the location of the water filter.
 20. The method of claim 12further comprising sending the replacement water filter prior to thereplacement time.
 21. The method of claim 12 wherein the water usagemeasurements are reported using an Internet web page.
 22. A method ofproviding end-to-end water quality control from a water system operatorto a point of delivery proximate a consumer and outside of a waterdistribution system of the water system operator, comprising: treatingthe water; delivering the water to the consumer at the point of deliveryoutside of the water distribution system of the water system operator;purifying the water at the point of delivery; monitoring water qualityat the point of delivery after the purifying to generate water qualitydata; reporting the water quality data to the water system operator overa network; and using the water quality data to affect water treatment orpurifying.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the filtering andpurifying the water at the point of delivery is performed using acustomized filter based on the water quality data.